HC: Grant all powers to deans of GMCHs to buy med essentials

Nagpur: Peeved over non-compliance of its earlier orders issued almost five years back, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to frame a policy for decentralizing purchase of medical essentials and medicines and grant powers to deans of government medical college and hospitals (GMCHs).
A division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Anil Pansare asked the finance department to take a decision within three months.
“After April 27, 2017, no decision whatsoever has been taken on the file regarding the de-centralization pending with the department. In the interest of efficient hospital management and proper treatment to GMCHs’ patients in an effective and quicker manner, it is necessary that their deans are permitted to make purchases of all essentials at their respective levels, as ordered by this court on February 9, 2017.”
The directives came while hearing a plea (WP no. 3427/2000) by CH Sharma and others regarding lack of basic facilities in GMCHs where amicus curiae Anup Gilda pointed out that delay in delivering supply of essential medical equipment, articles and even medicines was due to centralized purchasing process.
Stressing on decentralizing the process, he pointed out various orders passed by HC on February 2, March 2, and April 27, 2017, which were not complied with till date by the respondents.
Asserting that decentralization would resolve all such issues, Gilda said it is high time the finance department grants its approval and empowers GMCH deans to make essential purchases at their levels.
“We prima facie find substance in the amicus arguments. In February 2, 2017 order, while expressing anguish over the centralized purchase process, this court said that de-centralization was necessary as it would go a long way in avoiding the unnecessary expenditure and sparing the valuable time of the departments heads who are otherwise required to pursue the matter at different desks in Mantralaya,” the bench said.
Earlier, government’s special counsel Firdos Mirza informed that an urgent meeting was convened by medical education secretary and various directives were issued by him that resulted into improvement in supplies of essentials like IV fluids, masks, gloves, medicines, medical equipment and gadgets.
“We appreciate secretary’s efforts and hope that same would continue henceforth in promptly procuring the medical equipment and medicines required for treating the patients, as soon as the demand is received from GMCHs.” the HC said.
Referring to a chart of medical essentials supplies submitted by the government, the judges pointed out that GMCHs in Akola and Chandrapur and Speciality and Dr Ambedkar hospitals in Nagpur, have provided figures mechanically without application of mind.
“This can be seen from the fact that there is no change whatsoever in the stock of medicines between January 13 and 21. We direct the respondents to file up to date figures in respect of stock of all essentials,” the justices said.
WHAT HC SAID
* State Finance Department to take a decision on decentralization in three months
* File pending with it since 27, 2017, but it failed to take decision despite HC orders
* Deans to be permitted to purchase medical essentials at their respective levels
* It’s in interest of efficient hospital management and proper treatment to patients
* It would go a long way in avoiding unnecessary expenditure and saving valuable time
* Dept heads otherwise required to pursue matter at different desks in Mantralaya